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SACRED MAXIMS: 

COLLECTED DURING THIRTY YEARS, FROM THE 
DISCOURSES OF THE LATE 

REV. WILLIAM BORROWS, M.A., 

MINISTER OF ST. PAUL'S CHAPEL, CLAPHAM : 

BY AN ATTACHED MEMBER OF HIS CONGREGATION. 



" The preacher sought to find out acceptable words : and that which was 
written was upright, even words of truth." 

Ecclesiastes xii. II. 



LONDON: 

DAVID BATTEN, CLAPHAM COMMON; 

AND SIMPKIN, MARSHALL, AND CO. 



M DCCC LII. 



^ «*£* 



LONDON : 

PRINTED AT BATTEN'S OFFICE, 

CLAPHAM COMMON. 



PREFACE. 



The following Sentences, or " Sacred Maxims," 
were compiled during a course of Thirty Years' 
attendance on the Ministry of the late Rev. 
William Borrows, by an attached Member of 
his Congregation; whose habit it was to note 
down immediately such leading remarks in his 
Sermons, as had more particularly affected the 
hearer's mind. These are now presented to the 
Public, under the persuasion that they will prove 
useful to many readers. 

Those who were well acquainted with Mr. 
Borrows and his labours as a Christian Minister, 
are aware that his Sermons were the result of close 
study, and diligent preparation. They w T ere for 
the most part written with great care and exact- 
ness. Yet not unfrequently he would, under the 
impulse of quick perceptions and strong feelings, 
throw out extempore remarks, which gave peculiar 



11 PREFACE. 

energy to his preaching. Probably not a few of 
the Sentences in this little Volume may have been 
thus conceived and uttered instantaneously : like 
electric sparks, suddenly communicating to his 
auditory the same vivid impulse, as had first 
struck the Preacher's own mind. 

These Maxims possess, generally, that stamp of 
originality, which those who knew their Author 
will at once discern ; and to such persons this 
brief remembrancer of his admirable powers will 
have an additional interest. But all who under- 
stand the nature of experimental religion, will, it 
may reasonably be anticipated, find here an abun- 
dant treasury of valuable and searching truths. 
Mr. Borrows always spoke from the heart to the 
heart : consequently in these sentences his pointed 
appeals may safely be left to commend themselves 
to every man's conscience in the sight of God : for 
it is a maxim nothing less than divine, that As in 
water face answer eth to face, so doth the heart of 
man to man. 

Something further respecting the character of 
this devoted Servant of Christ, may suitably be 



PREFACE. Ill 

added from the Funeral Sermons preached sub- 
sequently to his interment. These are before the 
Public ; and are the productions of two Clergymen, 
who had enjoyed different, yet highly favourable 
opportunities of estimating his peculiar excellences. 

The former of these has observed, " One cha- 
racteristic of our beloved friend was, the remarkable 
tenderness of his conscience. I speak in a great 
measure from long-distant recollections, when I had 
more close opportunities of watching his character 
and of intercourse with him ; at the same time that 
I have felt it a rich privilege to maintain a con- 
tinual union of heart and the occasional blessing of 
actual intercourse with him, until it pleased God to 
remove him from you. But this used to strike me 
remarkably. Looking 'back to seasons when we 
were both young persons studying in the university, 
preparing for the sacred work of the ministry, there 
was no one in the whole range of my acquaintance 
who was so distinguished by that sensitiveness of 
conscience. His conscience was as quick as the 
apple of the eye. The least shadow of evil, the 
least suspicion of what was wrong, filled him with 
horror, and he shrank from it; and the consequence 



IV PREFACE. 

was, that there was not only in him the absence of 
any inconsistencies by which he might dishonour 
the sacred name that he professed, but there was 
the keeping aloof from every approximation and 
every temptation, from every thing which he might 
suppose could lead him even incidentally to act or 
to speak or to think inconsistently with that vocation 
wherewith he was called. He was careful to abstain 
from all appearance of evil?' # 

The same Clergyman also in the course of his 
Sermon, beautifully touches upon the early traits of 
conscientiousness evinced by his friend during their 
intimate acquaintance at college. He observes, " I 
may also mention his prayerfulness. It is not often, 
indeed, that we are able, except from the results, 
to form a judgment of the actual prayerfulness of 
a fellow-creature, because prayer is a private com- 
munication, to a great extent, between God and a 
man's own soul, and we know not how that soul is 
poured out before God ; for he who loves commu- 
nion with his God, seeks the seasons of greatest 
retirement for that purpose. Yet I have had 

* Funeral Sermon by the Rev. John Hill, M.A., late Vice-Principal 
of St. Edmund Hall, Oxford. 



PREFACE. 



opportunities of judging even on this point. From 
the accidental proximity of our chambers when we 
were students together in the university, I could 
perceive how much time he devoted to private 
prayer, and how earnest he was in his appeals to 
the throne of grace. I could judge, knowing what 
his seasons were, from his tone of voice and man- 
ner, though I heard no words, that he was in earnest 
and long-continued prayer. Never, indeed, did I 
give him the slightest intimation that I heard or 
was aware of it ; for if I had done so, his modesty 
and retirement would have checked him, and I 
should have grieved to have checked him in that 
which he evidently found profitable to his soul — 
the giving vocal utterance to his pleadings at the 
throne of grace. He was therefore wholly uncon- 
scious that any other person was aware of it. But 
it left a deep impression upon ray mind. It taught 
me how truly he was a man of God, and how he 
valued the privilege of coming to the throne of 
grace/' 

The following passage also from the same 
Sermon, forcibly delineates the unction which 
attended the ministry of this holy man : it may at 



VI PREFACE. 



the same time serve to explain what was the 
occasion of those deep, heart-searching thrusts, 
which are to be found in this Volume of H Sacred 
Maxims." " With holy authority and deep solem- 
nity, as feeling the utmost importance of the mes- 
sage he had to deliver, he i charged you/ my 
brethren. With discrimination, with individuality, 
in language that was not vague and general, but 
such as enabled each to apply the different parts 
of the message to his own conscience, he charged 
every one of you ; with tender affection and love 
he spake to you, as a father doth to his children ; 
he bore you in his heart with paternal anxiety; 
yea, as a nursing mother, (as St. Paul says in 
another part of the same chapter), he was gentle 
among you. And what, my brethren, was his 
object? That ye would walk worthy of God. 
Oh, what deep grief have I heard him express, 
while he has feared that any of those of whom he 
hoped well were falling into worldly habits, allow 7 - 
ing the things of this life to gain an undue share 
in their feelings and affections, and thus becoming 
inconsistent in heart, if not in life, with the purity 
of the Gospel of Jesus Christ ! There was no 
overlooking of the evil of sin and worldly minded- 



PREFACE. Vll 

ness, from personal affection. His heart bled over 
those, who, while they professed the Gospel, yet 
manifested, by their life and conduct, that their 
heart was with the world, and not with God." 

The following passages are selected from the 
Funeral Sermon preached on the same occasion 
by another Clergyman.* " Such a welcome, Well 
done, good and faithful servant ! we humbly be- 
lieve, has been already given to him who was so 
lately dwelling among us, and who has closed a 
long, laborious, and self-denying career in the 
church of God : and how glorious will be his 
rising at the resurrection of the just! He was a 
man, as all who were acquainted with this parish 
can testify, who abounded in i every good word 
and work;' one who never spared himself in 
the service of the best of Masters. 

" His calling to the sacred ministry was peculiar, 
for his origin was humble. In his early days he 
was inured to the toils of honest handicraft. The 
dissenting place of worship, which his parents 

* Funeral Sermon by the Rev. William Jowett, M.A., Incum- 
bent of St. John's Church, Clapham Rise. 



Vlll PREFACE. 

attended, was in a cold and dead condition. But 
it pleased God, about this period, to send into 
his native town a clergyman, who preached the 
Gospel with zeal and unction : many flocked to 
the church, and among them our revered friend, 
then a youth. He came, stealthily creeping in; 
and, Nicodemus like, he stood behind a pillar, to 
hear what this new doctrine was : and here his 
conscience, which was naturally tender, was 
awakened, and he was constrained to turn to that 
Saviour whom he felt that he needed. The preacher 
had perceived the youth, and soon afterwards called 
on him, and put into his hand ' Doddridge's Rise 
and Progress.' He was led forward in the path of 
truth, and the zeal of his young heart immediately 
prompted him to become a Sunday school teacher ; 
and in various ways he manifested an anxiety to 
save the souls of his fellow-townsmen. This at- 
tracted the notice of judicious friends, who discerned 
also in this young man talents of a superior order, 
and such as, if duly cultivated, might prove a bless- 
ing in the church of God. Nor were they mistaken 
in their judgment : for he was in truth a person 
naturally of a strong mind, of ardent principles 
and independent spirit, endowed with a wonderfully 



PREFACE. 



retentive memory, rich in scriptural knowledge, 
lively in address, kindly affectioned, and every way 
calculated to be an impressive and instructive 
public teacher. In brief, he was sent to college 
through private benevolence, and received the 
guidance and patronage of the father of the present 
most venerable bishop of Calcutta. Henceforward, 
he grew in grace, in wisdom, and influence, exhi- 
biting those varied gifts that rendered him, until 
infirmities began to come upon him, truly a burning 
and a shining light in thi& place. 

"Let me notice something of his public ministra- 
tions. The one subject of his preaching was, the 
free and sovereign grace of God, granted through 
faith in Christ to perishing sinners. The pulpit 
was his delight and his glory : and here, with his 
strong commanding voice, keen eye, and full mea- 
sure of scriptural doctrine, he preached the word 
of God, moved the hearts of hundreds and of thou- 
sands, and brought many wanderers into the fold 
of Christ. 

" Now, when such watchmen in Israel are re- 
moved from the camp, and from the walls of the 
citadel, it is time for survivors to reflect how their 
losges may be more than repaired, by rousing both 



X PREFACE. 

clergy and laity to a sense of their special duties at 
this critical season. It cannot be denied that the 
enemy is abroad and among us. Infidelity and 
Popery are thinning our ranks, and employing 
every means within their power, whether openly or 
secretly, to turn England from the truth. What 
shall we say then, or what do ? Humiliation, 
watchfulness, and prayer are our first duties : but 
there is another duty marked out for us in these 
times. We hear much of strengthening the internal 
defences of our country : what shall we do to 
strengthen the internal defences of the church of 
Christ in these lands ? I reply — as in the one case 
we look to a brave people well-officered, so in the 
other we must look to a pious laity, guided by a 
sound Gospel ministry. This is the defence, and 
this is the glory of Christ, and of His church. 
Other than Gospel ministers do no good — not to 
add, that they do much harm : other than pious 
laymen show that they have got no good. The 
death of our honoured friend impresses this view 
more deeply than ever on my heart and judgment; 
and, therefore, that God would raise up His power 
and come among us, must be our earnest prayer. 
And let us delight in following this brother ajad 



PREFACE. XI 

father in Christ, who so long and so faithfully 
served his Master. Let us i bear/ in our turn, 
1 the burden and heat of the day/ while the de- 
ceased, mercifully admitted to the blissful man- 
sions of heaven, is, with an angel's strength, with 
an angel's love, and, best of all, with a redeemed 
sinner's humility, adoring the triune Jehovah, and 
joining the eternal hallelujahs above/' 

To these Prefatory Remarks it may be added, 
that the Motto to this Volume was suggested by 
an anecdote, communicated by a Clerical friend to 
the Compiler of these Sentences. A party of four 
Clergymen (Mr. Borrows being one of the four,) 
were returning; together from a visit to their 
venerated Diocesan : the conversation turned on 
the subject of preaching; and it was remarked, 
that Solomon appears to have recommended a 
certain study of eloquence, when saying, The 
'preacher sought to find out acceptable words. As 
the discussion went on, Mr. Borrows was silent, 
but waited his opportunity. He was a man of most 
meaning emphasis : it has been said, c every text, 
as read by him, was a commentary upon itself.' 
After a pause, he took up the discourse, and 



Xll PREFACE. 

emphatically repeated the whole verse — The 
preacher sought to find out acceptable words : 
and that which was written was upright, even 

WORDS OF TRUTH. 

Many such " words of truth/' it is believed, will 
be found in this small Volume. May it please 
God to render them " acceptable" likewise, and 
consequently profitable, to every Reader ! 

Clapham, 

May, 1852. 



SACRED MAXIMS, 



dFttst ^utt&rrt. 



ll OTHING can be more unprofitable, vain, and 
dangerous, than a profession of religion, without the 
fruits of faith. 

Little fruit, with high profession and great privileges, 
is an awful state to be found in. 

Dorcas was — what every Christian ought to be — a 
public loss. 

We are not more prone to any thing, than to judge 
one another. 

It is a calamity to be of the world. 

The way of tribulation is the high road to the king- 
dom of God. 

The spirit in which believers suffer, is very important. 

The people of God are as prone to fear, as the men of 
the world are to presume. 

You can never be in danger, while you maintain a 
prayerful spirit. 

Very often the plainest things are the most important. 

All are called to be saints who have any hope in Christ. 



6 SACRED MAXIMS. 

The world could never maintain an ascendancy over 
you, if faith were in lively exercise. 

God's way has often been, rather to strengthen his 
people under their trials, than to remove them. 

Punishment is never the main thing feared by a 
gracious souL 

A Christian ought not to do any thing but in union 
with Christ, and in connexion with his glory. 

Evil thoughts are dangerous things, and very much 



There is nothing at all in fear of punishment indicative 
of a gracious spirit. 

There are no infidels in hell. 

There is a fear peculiar to awakened consciences, and 
this fear operates powerfully when the mind has been 
dwelling on the dangers and difficulties of the way, 
instead of looking to Jesus as all-sufficient. 

Looking to Jesus should be the first, the central, and 
the last of a believer's life. 

There are no days so evil, as the days of an ungodly 
old age. 

We know nothing of casualties. 

The difference between speculative and spiritual 
knowledge is, the one leaves men as it finds them, the 
other conforms them to the image of God. 

The best preparation for coming to Christ is conviction 
of sin : the deeper the conviction, the higher the prepa- 
ration. 



FIRST HUNDRED. 6 

The unrenewed state is manifested by conformity to 
the world. 

Attending religious ordinances, and approving of 
sacred things, is far from proving a man to be renewed 
in his mind : there may be much light around while all 
is darkness within. 

The people of God possess, in common, one family 
likeness, not natural, but acquired, which is holiness to 
the Lord. 

Of all the blessings which can be obtained in this 
world, a tender conscience is one of the greatest. 

One cause of a barren ministry is, when man's word 
is substituted in the place of the word of God. 

Sickness is not the same to a carnal man as to a 
spiritual one : the same may be said of health, of friends, 
of learning, of increasing riches. 

" If any man be in Christ Jesus, he is a new creature;" 
not merely moralized (as every man ought to be), but 
spiritualized. 

It is too true that there is scarcely a man to be met 
with, who is ashamed of his ignorance in religion ; and 
this is his degradation and reproach. 

Love is the mainspring of every action, in those who 
are born again. 

Until faith be tried it is unknown in its power, either 
to ourselves or others. 

Heresies are views discordant to the truths of God. 

The progress of human nature, when left to itself, is 
always from bad to worse. 



& SACRED MAXIMS. 

The conversion of an old man who has from his youth 
heard the gospel, is almost the rarest thing in the world. 

Faith is the universal characteristic of all who are 
ordained to eternal life. 

The faculty of spiritual discernment is lacking in 
every natural man. 

The tempted and the tempter, though they may appear 
in such union as to have one heart, are laying the 
foundations of lasting enmity between themselves. 

Only gracious connexions can be dear connexions, or 
lasting, because they only can be founded in love. 

If we received only those blessings which we have 
asked in faith, how very low would be our supplies. 

If Satan were permitted, he would delight in destroy- 
ing the faith, rooting out the love, and overcoming the 
patience of the elect of God ; but this he shall never be 
able to do. 

The least knowledge of God will lead to self-abhorrence. 

It is a blessed token of covenant love, when the 
providential dealings of God are sanctified to bring 
sinners to repentance. 

Those were evil days to Saul, when God answered 
him not, neither by dreams, nor by vision, nor by Urim, 
though he was king over Israel. 

There is no hope in any trouble but in the name of 
Jesus. 



FIRST HUNDRED. 5 

It is a sweet reflection that we have been remembered, 
and sought out, and separated, and appointed to good, 
and not to evil. 

However near God's enemies are to him in his house 
and at his table, there will be an awful distance by and by. 

By nature we cordially hate things which are excellent. 

Events occurring as judgments to some, are mercies 
to others. 

The word of God is in every part consistent with 
itself; in one part unfolding what is stated in another. 

We are enjoined in Scripture, not only to do deeds 
of mercy, but to love them. 

That we are gigantic in our powers for evil is a 
statement not more solemn than true. 

It is impossible to reconcile the death of infants, 
and those sufferings which often precede it, with the 
infinite goodness of God, to be seen in all his works, 
unless we view them as fallen in Adam. 

Natural death is a degrading thing : even the bodies 
of saints are said to be sown in dishonour. 

It is vain to reason on the origin of evil, which we 
cannot comprehend: suffice it to say, that both natural 
and moral evil do exist ; yea, more, that they have 
overspread the earth. 

It ill becomes men of reflection and of common sense 
to be anxious only for the things of time. 



b SACBED MAXIMS. 

Why do we call upon sinners to repent ? For the same 
reason that Ezekiel preached to the dry bones, though 
they were very dry. We are equally powerless to raise 
the spiritually dead, or to comfort and edify believers 
in Christ. 

We always wish to do something ; it is hard to do 
nothing. 

There is no sanctified way to a people, but what is 
connected with the name of Jesus. 

Any other spirit than that of love, does not edify. 

Sinners are only profited by being brought into union 
with Christ. 

Ungodliness is never more dangerous, than when it 
assumes the garb of religion. 

The divisions of the church are a sad stumbling-block 
to the world. 

Every suppression of the truth is but an approximation 
towards error. 

It is possible to obtain knowledge at a cost vastly too 
great. 

Of all liars, they who oppose the truth are the worst. 

The discovery of our sinfulness will honour God, just 
in proportion as it leads us to put our trust in him. 

They will be most prompt to labour for God, who feel 
most their debt to Him. 

The people of God should be pre-eminently gracious 
in disposition, and in manner : and, in their characters, 
patterns of benevolence. 



FIRST HUNDRED. 7 

If the world in general see nothing in your religion 
to shew that you are acting from a different principle 
from them, and bringing forth fruit as the result of that 
principle, you have reason to doubt of your conversion 
to God, and to fear that you are yet in your sins. 

It is an abundant proof of the mercy of God, when 
even our heaviness is rendered helpful. 

The sight of a needs-be is often very difficult, when 
comfort after comfort is withdrawn. 

The way of transgressors is indeed hard, but the 
present fruits of sin are comparatively nothing, to that 
fearful weight of wrath which awaits the finally impeni- 
tent : after millions of years have dragged heavily away, 
it will be still the wrath to come. 

Great gifts entail great responsibility. 

All time is important : we know not a thousandth part 
of its importance, nor can we, till we awake in eternity. 

Satan often procures a fall to the people of God, by 
tempting them to assert their rights in an unrighteous 
manner. 

There is not a single doctrine of the Bible which may 
be regarded as a mere speculation : all are connected with 
some holy admonition. 

The way of duty, be it what it may, is that way in 
which God will meet with his people and bless them. 

There is not a single promise in the Bible, made to 
sinners, out of Christ. 

The world, without the knowledge of Jesus, is a very 
desolate place. 



D SACKED MAXIMS. 

He who is deeply afraid of sin, will not be much afraid 
of any thing else. 

The rejection of the doctrines of grace, is always 
accompanied with low views of the evil of sin. 

Every sermon not illuminated by Christ, is like a 
world without a sun. 

There is nothing believers need more frequently to be 
reminded of, than that they have nothing to glory in. 

The very best actions may be done from the very 
worst and most malignant of motives. 

Antinomianism is the character emblazoned on the 
forehead of every natural man. 

While men continue in any way trifling with sin, and 
triumphing in their own righteousness, they can have 
no adequate conceptions of sin, that will bear to be 
brought to the test of the word of God. 

Sin is slavery: they are synonymous terms. 

We can never be above the reach of warning or 
exhortation; nor shall we esteem ourselves to be so 
while we are in our right mind. 

Self-righteousness is a very barren, unholy thing. 

Men are often as far from God when ground down 
by poverty, as when rioting in luxurious ease. 

Railing is the utterance of impotent malice; it always 
argues a bad cause. 

They who are righteous in their own eyes, are very 
unrighteous in the eyes of God. 



FIRST HUNDRED. if 

I cannot conceive a case of more profound ignorance, 
than that of a sinner seeking justification by the deeds 
of the law. 

We know not of a greater calumny upon the character 
of God, than to speak of a remedial law. 

It is the case of worldly men, that they do not see 
the hand of the Lord in their sufferings. 

It is a fearful thing not to be afraid where there is 
just cause for alarm and apprehension. 

The way of transgressors is indeed hard, but the end 
will be infinitely harder. 



Secern* f^untrretr* 



X HE end of abused wealth and of neglected privileges, \ 
will be fearful indeed. 

Every thing occupying the place of God in our hearts 
is idolatry. 

One sin imputed, even a sin of the heart, is as 
dangerous as a million. 

It is a bad sign when men do not like to hear of 
warnings in a world of danger. 

A look is enough for a wise man, more salutary than 
a hundred stripes to a fool. 

Not a few of this world's possessions, if viewed in 
themselves, and in their effects upon men, may be 
termed anything rather than wealth. 

How deep that fall will be, when a man drops from 
the summit of ease and wealth to the indigence and 
misery of the bottomless pit — language fails me to 
describe, nor can I even imagine it ! 

To exhort a natural man to do acts of holiness, the 
very principles of which are lacking in him, is the very 
height of folly. 

Seek carefully to preserve a good conscience : it is the 
greatest blessing to be enjoyed on this side the heavenly 
inheritance. 



SECOND HUNDRED. 11 

There are not more merciful words in the Scriptures, 
than admonitions which tend to preserve the elect of 
God from the snares which surround them. 

Of all extravagances, the most frantic foolishness is 
that which causes a man to sacrifice his soul to the vain 
enjoyments of this present evil world. 

Those whose hearts are not tuned to praise God here 
upon earth, will never join the song above, but are 
destined to fill a far different place. 

The Lord wills not only the final salvation of his 
people, but also their present comfort. 

The difficulty is, not in knowing how God can condemn 
a sinner ; but how, consistently with his justice, he can 
save any. 

It is one thing to have concern for the things of this 
life, and another to be entangled thereby. 

In proportion as Jesus is glorified, will be the out- 
pouring of the Spirit. 

If a man have no adequate view of the sin of his 
heart, he will have none of the sins of his life. 

The law was never intended by God to give life, but 
to give the knowledge of sin. 

If there be one token more unequivocal than another 
of a reprobate mind, it is that of a man who can sin 
without remorse — who is past feeling. 

Those who set the Lord always before them, will be 
in no danger of setting up idols in their hearts. 

God's servants should be prepared for all events, 
whether adverse or prosperous. 



12 SACKED MAXIMS. 

The main business of the Christian, from day to day, 
should be to shew forth the praises of his God ; and 
that day should be considered lost, in which his glory 
has not been his chief aim. 

One part of the present gain of godliness is, peace of 
conscience. 

There are no secret things in the Bible : all that is 
there, is revealed. 

All times are times of mercy to the people of God. 

Perhaps there is not a word more hostile to the 
feelings of human nature, than submission. 

The whole world, out of the Church, are mute in the 
praises of God. 

While there is much affectation of thankfulness in 
the world, the motto which might be stamped upon 
every carnal man, is, " Unthankful, unholy." 

Worldly men are more inclined to quarrel with the 
fruits of the Spirit in the elect of God, than with any 
peculiarities in their creed. 

Those who are carnal, are much too depraved to be 
thankful for anything. 

Even peace must be sacrificed to purity. Every 
Christian should preach Christ practically in his life and 
conversation. 

Hope, either in heaven or hell, will be equally un- 
known. In the one place, the absence of it will be felicity. 
In the other, that absence will constitute its misery. In 
heaven there will be nothing to hope for ; all, and 



SECOND HUNDRED. 13 

abundantly more than all, we could hope for, will be 
there realized ; while in hell, could a ray of hope once 
enter, it would light up that dreary abode, and cause 
comparative happiness. 

Ungodly men, when judgments come upon a land, 
are apt to lay the burden upon the righteous ; but this 
is not just : they are indeed the pillars which support 
the Church — the salt which preserves it from cor- 
ruption. 

The spirit of apostasy, which we derive from our first 
parent, has not only alienated us from God, but from 
each other. The law of love is eradicated from our 
hearts. 

There are many who seem to believe, that the Scrip- 
tures will only be found to be true, in proportion as 
they believe them. 

Spiritual affections and carnal companions cannot 
long agree together. 

No gifts of God are evil in themselves ; it is the abuse 
of them which constitutes the evil. 

"We have nothing in Holy Writ which indicates Esau 
having sought repentance for himself ; what he sought 
was a change of purpose, or as it is termed, repentance 
in Jehovah, who had said, " Esau have I hated." 

An over-statement of the truth, is, in fact, a perver- 
sion of it. 

It is possible to learn truth at a period too late. 

There is a way to hell from the very summit of self- 
righteousness. 



14 SACKED MAXIMS. 

There is no principle in such powerful and constant 
exercise as self-love ; or so permanent and overwhelming 
in operation. 

Believers have nothing to do with the law whatever, 
as to its condemnation and curse. 

It is the privilege of a nation, a church, or a family, 
to have God nigh unto them. 

Such as reject any part of God's word, have no evidence 
of having received the truth in the love of it. 

Never was sin so condemned, as when Jesus poured 
out his soul unto death on Calvary. 

It is a most dangerous thing to desire to be wise above 
what is written. 

There can be no communion, either with God or his 
saints, without union to Christ. 

The world has always been a dangerous enemy to the 
saints of God, even when it draws near to the church. 
It is as dangerous at present, with its latitudinarian 
smile — when multitudes, by a profession, are deceiving 
themselves and others, and giving all but their hearts to 
God, as it was in the days of its most bitter persecutions. 

The real blessedness of this life, is to live by faith. 

The most learned and experienced of the people of 
God speak but as children. 

It is no mark of a gracious mind to go about to enquire 
how little may be done or given for the Lord. 

It is our crime that we look so little to the state of 
our hearts. 



SECOND HUNDRED. 15 

If the world has our hearts, it signifies not that we 
bring our bodies to the house of God : that which is 
most essential is wanting. 

Nothing is so vain, as a barren and unprofitable 
profession of the truth. 

If our hearts are overcharged with the withering 
cares of this world, it proves us to be seriously destitute 
of the love of God. 

Satan will tolerate any modification of the gospel* 
short of that clear revelation of the light which pene- 
trates the heart and shews the sinner its pollution. 

We must be saved by faith as the means, by grace as 
the cause, and by Christ as the ground. 

It is a peculiar feature in natural men, that they are 
inordinately fond of being lords over the consciences of 
others. 

If our religion be nothing but mere sentiment, it will 
never save our souls. 

A right knowledge of God will destroy all your false 
hopes, divorce you from the world, and draw you near 
to Christ. 

The whole world will have to do with Christ as a 
Judge, but only the redeemed as a Saviour. 

The people of God are more apt to judge and suspect 
themselves than others. 

The doctrines of grace are never stated in the 
Scriptures as abstract speculations. 



16 SACKED MAXIMS. 

The righteousness of faith wrought in the people of 
God, is as much the work of Divine power, as the 
righteousness wrought out for them on Calvary. 

Holiness is generally supposed, but incorrectly, to be 
nothing more than a superior degree of morality. 

No doctrines, however holy, by being merely under- 
stood, will produce holiness, without a change of heart. 

It is a most serious thing to make light of any thing 
which others esteem to be a matter of conscience. 

We have nothing so peculiarly our own as our sins; 
it is not one of God's productions, but springs entirely 
from man. 

What a mercy for those who suffer for righteousness' 
sake, that not a groan escapes the notice of their 
Heavenly Father. 

The inward joy of the people of God, is often very 
independent of their outward circumstances. 

Heart-sins have caused more real trouble to the 
Lord's people, than all the outward trouble they have 
ever known. 

Perhaps the Bible, of all books in the world, is read 
with the least reflection. 

No spiritual prayer can possibly arise but from a 
broken heart. 

We do not understand sympathy but by fellow- 
suffering. 

In all the tribulations of His people, the Lord Jesus 
feels for them as under the tribulation himself. 



SECOND HUNDRED. 17 

Redemption is the recovery of that which was 
alienated. 

Who does not cleave to the world in heart, not only 
in the week but on the sabbath ? 

This world is a place where a burden is prepared for 
every one. 

The infinite Jehovah is the same in his purposes as 
as he is in his acts of providence and grace: the one are 
only manifestations of the other. 

Ministers are to " command all men every where to 
repent," having nothing to do with their inability. 

Repentance is not a condition of salvation, but the 
gift of God ; though no man has ever been saved, or will 
be, without it. 

Communion with Jesus, resulting from union to him, 
and through him with the Father, is the life and power 
of all vitality in religion. 

Apostolic preaching did not consist merely in a 
statement of doctrines. 

Nothing short of the total depravity of the human 
heart can account, in any reasonable way, for the state 
of men and manners in the present day. 

The morality of the world is little better than an 
apology for sin. 

The welfare of the Church depends entirely upon the 
advocacy of Jesus. 

Believers need to be admonished to look less to their 
frames and feelings, and more to the promises of God. 



.10 SACRED MAXIMS. 

Those who attempt in any way to degrade Christ, 
stand on common ground with Pagans and Mahometans. 

The present portion of light reflected from the Church 
upon the world is very offensive to them. 

The fruits of the Spirit in the elect, are as much a 
matter of divine favor, as is the righteousness of Christ 
imputed to them. 

Every sinner who looks to the law for salvation, puts 
himself under the law, and must receive the penalty due 
to all transgressors of its righteous demands. 

One great aggravation of the miseries of the finally 
impenitent will be, their distant apprehension of the 
glories of the redeemed. 

They who are now subject to the world will receive its 
wages — eternal death. 

We are too apt to expatiate on what we have done; 
whereas, in the divine life, we should always feel that 
we have done nothing. 

We know no guarantee so strong for not polluting the 
Sabbath, as a real love to its ordinances. 

Only God in Christ can be a confidence, a refuge for 
his people. 

The way of the world is, to overlook God's hand in 
all their afflictions. 

It is a fearful thing when sinners continue graceless 
under the means of grace. 

In proportion as the doctrine of the fall of man is 
explained away or invalidated, so far is the cross of 
Christ made of none effect. 



2TJ)trtr ftutrtrrrtu 



JL HERE is a volume of comfort to be derived from the 
consideration, that Jesus had mercy on you when you 
were out of the way and wandering from it. 

All which is called religion is not true and undefined; 
the corruptions of the heart have appeared as much in 
men's natural religion, as in their rebuke and raillery. 

Of all vanities in this vain world, the greatest of all 
is a vain religion, inasmuch as it promises much and 
gives nothing. 

It is the glory of the pages of the spirit of prophecy 
that they testify of Christ. 

The value of Christ's atonement is infinite, the 
application of it is limited. 

The name of Jesus is as ointment poured forth, to 
broken hearts and wounded consciences. 

It is the appropriation of the promises of God which 
constitutes their blessedness to the people of God. 

A hope without a reason, is like a house without a 
foundation; the higher it is raised, the greater destruc- 
tion is likely to fall upon its inmates. 

Self can do nothing for a man but hasten his eternal 
ruin. 

Reason itself is in favour of revelation : therefore 
sceptics are the most unreasonable men in the world. 

It is our calamity that there is so much within us for 
Satan to fasten his temptations upon. 



20 SACKED MAXIMS. 

Let us not talk of the dignity of human nature — it 
is all gone. Bad example might be set at defiance were 
it not for the evil within. 

The Scriptures are a great moral benefit : to them 
may be traced the difference existing between us and 
other nations. 

Faith is life, and unbelief is death. 

Righteousness is perfect conformity to the will of 
God, in mind, in affection, in desire, in thought, in 
imagination. 

The law is unchanging in its estimate of righteousness, 
like the Lawgiver. 

Every Israelite who brought a sacrifice, declared 
virtually that he deserved death. 

I know no spring whatever so likely to produce holy 
nonconformity to the world, as the doctrines of sovereign, 
free, and unmerited grace. 

The doctrine of the divine sovereignty is interwoven 
in every part of the Bible, and is connected with the 
very being of God himself. 

They who die in their sins, will deserve their damnation, 
under whatever circumstances they may have been 
placed. 

There is no truth of Scripture superfluous to be dwelt 
upon. 

What can a sinner do without a refuge ? And what 
refuge can he have, so long as unpardoned sin is found 
upon him ? 



THIRD HUNDRED. 21 

If Satan be permitted to speak sometimes through 
disciples, how should we learn to cease from man ! 

I have long thought that the greatest miracle that 
can be exhibited is, a sinner converted to God from 
the error of his ways. 

The permissions of God, as well as his eternal purposes, 
shall stand fast for ever. 

Kedemption work will not be complete, while the 
body remains subject to corruption. 

The marks of contrition are the first marks of beauty 
God sees upon a sinner. 

When men have not boldness to act contrary to the 
prejudices of men, it is to be feared they will soon 
contract boldness enough to act contrary to the com- 
mands of God. 

I do not see why a man should be more esteemed 
who robs God of his time, than he who robs his fellow 
man of his property. 

In the midst of deserved judgments which come upon 
the world, God always remembers his people whom he 
hath chosen out of the world. 

The beloved of God have much in possession, but 
much more in expectation. 

The passover was the preaching of Christ to the 
men of that generation; it was part and parcel of that 
gospel which we now receive. 

It is surprising how much men are willingly ignorant 
of, when they wish to hold fast their sins. 



22 SACKED MAXIMS. 

Perhaps no subject is more marvellous, when we 
connect it with the power of God to punish, than his 
long suffering and forbearance. 

The sight of the eyes entails great responsibility. 

Sabbath-breaking is the high road to every enormity. 

"Watch, pray, repent, believe, die daily, and you shall 
kuow the import of these words, " Great grace was upon 
them," in your own experience. 

The basis of all natural religion, is self-righteousness. 

The doctrines of Jesus have alone formed holy 
characters in every age. 

Union with Christ sanctifies every other union in 
which we may be concerned. 

What an unspeakable mercy is it, that the salvation 
of God's people stands not upon any peradventure, but 
depends upon God's covenant and purpose. 

The voice of God is the only sound the world will 
not hear : this is their crime, they will not listen to the 
voice of the charmer, charm he never so wisely. 

The more we perceive of the beauty, and purity, and 
holiness of Jesus, the more by contrast shall we see of 
our own deformity, defilement, and ignorance. 

Suffer no advice, however specious in itself, to turn 
you from the written word of God. 

A consciousness of our ignorance is the high road 
to wisdom ; but on the contrary, if any man be wise in 
his own conceit, there is more hope of a fool than of him. 



THIRD HUNDRED. 23 

Afflictions do not draw carnal men to God. 

Self-love, reckless of any of our neighbours' interests, 
abounds among us. 

We may fairly convict of infidelity those who assert 
the impossibility of the conversion of the heathen. 

If we would excite the people of God to good works, 
there must be a frequent recurrence to their natural state. 

If the Spirit be the teacher, every truth will be 
esteemed important, and sacred, and worthy of utterance. 

The influx of worldly and ambitious characters into 
the church, is sure to prove her curse. 

A desire after conformity to the image of Jesus, and 
a longing to be with him, are characteristics of the 
children of God. 

It is well if, when comfort is removed, the cause of 
such removal be investigated, and it send us to a throne 
of grace. 

If we can have any real comfort in the world, it must 
be by keeping the heart separate from it, and in using 
it, not serving it. 

One word of God to a Christian man, ought to have 
more weight than a thousand reasons. 

Anything that is a matter right in itself, may be made 
a subject of prayer. 

It is a fearful thing for a man and his hopes to die 
together. 



24 SACKED MAXIMS. 

The hidden iniquity in the heart of men is much 
more abundant than that which is manifested, dreadful 
and terrible, and enormous as it often appears ; like 
the liquid fire in the interior of Etna or Vesuvius, which 
have been tremendous and overwhelming in their 
eruptions, but must be supposed to contain an infinitely 
greater quantity. 

All final and total apostates were always unbelievers, 
whatever reason might have induced them to make a 
religious profession, and thereby deceive others, and 
perhaps for a while themselves. 

Even the whispers of God's voice are powerful, when 
he opens the ears to hear. 

An ungodly man is contagious wherever he goes. 

It is seldom in religion that the last experience is 
better than the first. 

Afflictions are as bread and water to the people of 
God, but as poison to the world : the terms, bread of 
affliction, and water of adversity, shew their harmless 
nature ; and indeed, their use. 

Carnal men think nothing of answers to prayer: who 
among us do 1 Without answers, of what use is prayer? 

I urge it on the consciences of all, but especially of 
youth — remember not only prayer, but the end of it. 

He who gives his people to partake of the bread of 
adversity and the water of affliction, has partaken largely 
of both. 

It is a very fearful thing when men live habitually in 
neglect of prayer; and the more fearful, in proportion as 
they feel not the danger of their situation. 



THIRD HUNDRED. 25 

The prayer of the Christian is not the mere duty of 
lip-service, but the utterance of his heart, arising from a 
conviction of sin, of want, of clanger. 

The afflictions of God's people are of his own appoint- 
ment ; though ofttimes this is a truth hard to be 
believed. 

As soon may we expect amity between sheep and 
wolves, as any useful association between the Church 
and the world. 

It behoves the Church to be most honorable in all 
necessary transactions with the world, and by their light 
to condemn its darkness. 

Christ is compared to a door, denoting entire security 
and separation from the world : that door which includes 
the Church, excludes the world. 

When God corrects his children he corrects them as 
children, and will not lay upon them more than they 
are able to bear. 

They who are out of the fold are in the desert, 
exposed to all the storms of this wilderness world: an 
entrance into the outward precincts of the fold is no 
evidence that we are sheep, unless we enter by Christ 
the door. 

The doctrine of God's sovereignty was always offensive 
to the world, and even to professed disciples. 

Experimental knowledge is that alone which is 
connected with salvation. 

It is of the providence of God that the poor are cast 
around us, and not a mere casualty. 

We are prone to let slip all profitable instruction, and 
to^retain only that which is worthless. 



26 SACRED MAXIMS. 

There is not an individual in hell, who while on earth 
believed with his heart unto salvation. 

Fancies in religion are the most perilous of all fancies ; 
thereshouldbenothing buttruth and substance in religion. 

Though Job, under the anguish of his soul, the weight 
of his temptations, and the multitude of his losses and 
bodily afflictions, cursed his day, yet he never cursed 
his God. 

Nothing short of the power of God can reveal to 
sinners their deliverance from wrath. 

The instrumental cause of faith is the preached word ; 
not necessarily so, but because it is the will of God, who 
is the sovereign worker. 

The only necessary and efficient cause of faith is the 
influence of the Holy Spirit. 

Though all subordinate causes be present, still, if the 
efficient cause be not continually in operation, all will 
be nugatory, and trifling, and vain. 

A manifest and distinguishing token of trust in God, 
is, a separation from sin and vanity in every modification 
and form, whatever may be the consequences. A 
Christian man has nothing to do with consequences 
when he has a plain duty before him. 

The mercies of the covenant-church are our mercies. 

The trust of a convicted sinner upon his God, differs 
from that sweeping way in which sinners in their sins 
fancy they trust in the mercy of God, as if the attribute 
of mercy were the only one. 

Those who are brought to trust in the Lord, have 
tried all other refuges before, and found them fail. 



THIRD HUNDRED. 27 

Ceasing from any expectation from men, and also 
from fearing any evil consequences that may result from 
their malice, evinces trust in God. 

If every sin were purged from the conscience, but 
one, that one would be quite sufficient to plunge the 
soul into eternal ruin. 

God requires purity, and we are pollution in the 
abstract. 

It is an evil sign when matter of wonder is lacking in 
the disciples of Jesus, for an ungodly world. 

It is a good sign when troubles lead to supplication 
instead of murmuring. 

The grace of God revealed in the gospel is directly 
opposed to all idea of merit in man. 

There is no promise in the Bible given in connection 
with the law: this only demands perfect, unsinning 
obedience. 

The corruption of human nature is so deep and entire, 
that all the blessings of God, providential, temporal, 
and spiritual, are abused or perverted by natural men. 

When the fruits of grace are not insisted upon as the 
certain effects of the grace of God, and are not brought 
forth abundantly to his glory, then is the grace of God 
frustrated. 

The highest sublimity and the deepest humility were 
united in the character of the Lord Jesus, when he was 
"made flesh and dwelt among us." 

Divine truth is always unpleasant to carnal men, so 
far as they perceive its connection with their own cases 
and consciences ; the reason is obvious, it condemns all 
their pursuits. 



dFoutti) ^untrtrtr* 



J_HERE is nothing on which men exercise so little 
common sense and investigation, as the subject of 
religion : men acute and learned on perhaps all other 
topics, here are complete children. 

The grand cause of offence against the gospel is its 
holiness, however men may rail against it. 

Men cannot hold fast and serve both God and the 
world : with one or the other they must needs be offended. 

If man be entirely fallen, then every favor shewn him 
must be an act of divine sovereignty. 

Until men are utterly offended with themselves, and 
fall into the dust of self-abasement, they will be offended 
at Christ. 

The way to the crown is not unfrequently strewed 
with crosses; but it is paved with promises, and walled 
with salvation. 

Whatever carnal men may think of gaining by a 
profession of religion, they never think of losing any 
thing by it. 

There is nothing in human nature to make a man 
endure tribulations, when he can extricate himself from 
them. Divine grace alone can enable him to say, " We 
glory in tribulation." 

Christ is not exalted, but degraded, if we look to any- 
thing in ourselves whereby we may be justified in his 
sight. 



FOURTH HUNDRED. 29 

There is no advocate with the Father for ungodly men. 

The strength of the Church stands in the perpetual 
intercession of Jesus. 

Whosoever has no mind to make intercession to God 
on his own behalf, has no token that Jesus is inter- 
ceding for him above, 

Fear, when it drives us to God, is an evidence of faith. 

If Jesus had escaped any of those fears and tempta- 
tions incident to humanity, it could not have been said, 
" He was in all points tempted like as we are." 

It is God's ordinance, that many means leading to 
very beneficial results, should be in themselves extremely 
unpleasant. 

The Great High Priest of our profession is far more 
exquisitely touched with the feeling of our infirmities, 
than we are with the sufferings of each other. 

It is a matter of much encouragement that the defi- 
nition of those who are partakers of Christ is," All who 
obey him;" not, all who rejoice in him; not all those 
whose faith is strong, or whose love is ardent :* — or what 
would become of the feeble-minded, or of those who 
are full of heaviness, and doubts, and fears ? It includes 
the weak as well as the strong, and those who sit in 
darkness as well as those who walk in the cheering 
beams of Him, who is truly styled the Sun of Kight- 
eousness. 

Inward corruption forms no subject of distress to the 
world, but the people of God feel incessant cause for 
lamentation on this account. 

It is a high honor to be instrumental in helping any 
in the ways of salvation. 



30 SACRED MAXIMS. 

This only is profitable hearing, when men are moved 
inwardly in conscience respecting sin, so as to cause self- 
loathing, and shame, and confusion of face ; so moved 
concerning the pollution and vanity of the world as to 
come out from among its votaries, and to be separate ; 
so moved as to the gain of godliness, as to esteem all in 
comparison of it to be but dung and dross. 

The salvation of Christ extends to all who feel the 
curse of a carnal mind. 

Carnally minded men never have a good conscience. 

The hearts of God's people are often so overcharged 
with care, as to make them walk very unbecomingly. 

The people of God are not afraid of God turning away 
from them, but of their turning away from God. 

The things God commands, he works in us. 

While all the righteousness of all the moralists and 
Pharisees in the world, if imputed to one man, could 
not hinder him from being repulsed at the bar of God; 
so all the sins, be they ever so numerous, which he may 
have committed, cannot condemn him, if he be found 
clothed in the Redeemer's righteousness. 

We suffer no persecution, not because the spirit of 
persecution is annihilated, but because, too generally 
speaking, there is nothing in us to persecute. 

They who fear God, need have no other fear. 

Worldly men are not over brave when something dark 
appears in prospect. 

No one, however high his station, has walked in pride 
and not been abased ; or hardened his heart against God 
and prospered. 



FOURTH HUNDRED. 31 

Our iniquities are the last sources we generally look 
to, as the causes for God's anger. 

The whole of vital and practical godliness proceeds 
from faith. 

To those who have strong faith, will be appointed 
strong trials. Abraham was a proof of this. 

It cannot be that they who have Christ in their hearts 
should be seeking rest in any thing short of seeing the 
king in his beauty: but they may be loitering instead of 
running, sleeping instead of watching. 

That man is a truly awful character who glories ni 
making no profession of religion. 

Abused mercies will prove awful aggravations of 
eternal misery ; like so many millstones they will sink 
the soul lower into hell. 

If sin ever assumes a more hideous aspect at one time 
than at another, it is when it is clothed with the garb 
of a profession, and surrounded by that light which 
ought to frown it into a corner. 

The camp of the visible church, as of old, contains the 
world in its precincts, and the world in its most malig- 
nant character — the world acquainted with the ordinances 
and people of God, and therefore hating them the more 
because they condemn it. 

The promises are insipid things to people, who feel 
not their want of the things promised. 

Morality is frequently preached till all morality is 
banished from the parish. 



32 SACKED MAXIMS. 

There must be something very wrong in our preaching 
if men can approve it and yet remain conformed to the 
world, and not loathe themselves. 

The wintry state of our souls arises from our distance 
from the Sun of Righteousness. 

There can be no beauty of character in the sight of 
God, while sin is imputed to us. 

If our religion be only a light profession, it is wanting: 
experimental religion is a life comprehending all its 
functions, a race with all its labours, a warfare with all 
its cares, and pains, and dangers. 

Important truths are strongly stated in Scripture. 

As God's judgments begin at the house of God, so 
should warning begin there too. 

The sacrifice of eternity to time, is the most unrea- 
sonable of all unreasonable things. 

Who thinks of a watchman for his soul ? 

A believing view of Christ's mangled body on the 
cross, will slay a man's hopes of rinding life by the law. 

All who have much in common with the world, will 
meet with no assault from the world. 

If a man surfer nothing for his religion, he may well 
fear that he has none to suffer for. 

The finishing feature in the physiognomy of carnal 
men is, there is no fear of God before their eyes. 

How awfully embittering to present pain will be the 
recollection of misimproved privileges. 



FOURTH HUNDRED. 33 

No worldly man comes to the perusal of the word of 
God with an unbiassed mind ; all his prejudices are 
arrayed against it, because it insists upon a separation 
between him and his sins. 

We are not called upon to invite sinners in their sins 
and hardness of heart to partake of mercy; but to warn 
them that except they repent they shall perish ever- 
lastingly. 

The more profound is the sense of one's ignorance, 
the more ripe is our wisdom for attaining the knowledge 
of God. 

The disposition to wait is a sure pledge that you shall 
not wait in vain. 

Persevere, by all means, to maintain a separation from 
Antichristian idolaters : every help given them is aid 
aiforded the powers of darkness, therefore allow no 
coalition with the degraders of Christ. The affected 
liberality of those who do, will be as tow when exposed 
to the fire. 

God's goodness is God's glory. 

Every thing is an idol, which usurps that place in the 

heart which God should fill. 

• 

The bitterness of lamentation is^likely to be indeed 
bitter, when those who have said, " Who is lord over 
us ?" find themselves in the hands of One far stronger 
than they. 

It is our infidelity that we look more to instruments 
and means, than to the God of the means. 

Sentimental orthodoxy, however correct, will not save 
the soul. 



34 SACRED MAXIMS. 

Much guilt would be avoided, and much profit derived, 
if individuals were more careful in their communications. 

While you have only sentiment concerning sin, but 
no conviction of its enormity, breaking your heart under 
a sense of it, and leading you to crucifixion to it, and 
separation from it ; while you remain unacquainted with 
the quickening, renewing, and sanctifying influences of 
the Holy Spirit, you have reason to fear, and may well 
fear that you are still in the broad road which leadeth 
down to the chambers of death, — death eternal. 

Ministers should never be found where they cannot 
appear in their true character: let them put this question 
to themselves, What business have I where my Master 
is unacceptable? 

Every sermon you have heard, and every text which 
has given you any uneasiness, will condemn you if you 
die rejectors of Christ. 

Every Christian should be a preacher in his own 
family and to his friends. 

All sacrifices which Christians may be obliged to 
make, are small when compared with the sacrifice of a 
good conscience. 

Jesus has trodden every step in the way of temptation, 
and sanctified it. 

Pharisaism is the next door to apostasy, and the 
high road to it. 

It is a great trial to gracious souls when they cannot 
draw nigh to God, and when he does not draw nigh 
to them. 

The way of God's people is ordered for them ; yes, 
every step of the way. 



FOURTH HUNDRED. 35 

There is nothing in trials, contemplated in themselves, 
that prove those suffering under them to be the children 
of God, nor can they cleanse from a single sin : how 
often do we see men writhing under them, descending 
to the blackness of darkness for ever. 

Orthodoxy may and does very often exist, where there 
is no religion. It is like a beautiful statue wanting 
nothing but life ; and, wanting that, wanting every thing. 

Heterodoxy from main truths clearly shews the absence 
of all religion. 

Men sometimes deem it almost the sin of presumption 
to confide in God. 

Religion is the experience of the power of God in the 
soul. 

The people of God are set for signs and for wonders : 
they are, or ought to be, " men wondered at — a peculiar 
people." 

Men are never out of danger from false religion, what- 
ever may be the intellect or light surrounding or within 
them. 

What a dreary place this world is, when a man has 
cast away the only torch of light capable of directing 
him to find his way to heaven. 

If there were more patient and prayerful waiting for 
the Lord, there would be more discoveries made of his 
grace and goodness, and of the reasons for the way in 
which he is leading us. 

We cannot find a single sensual man who in his heart 
and by his actions is not saying unto God/' Depart from 
me, for I desire not the knowledge of thy ways." 



36 SACRED MAXIMS. 

We are generally in the habit of surveying grave 
truths at a distance, so that we have only a diminutive 
view of things which are really colossal in size and 
amazing in importance. 

The apprehensions and fears of God's people do not 
endanger, though they distress them. 

There can be no dedication to God without a previous 
separation from the world. 

It is the removal of the enmity of our hearts which 
we need, before we can be brought nigh to God. 

They need to be goaded by the law, who are unsub- 
dued by the grace of the gospel. 

The secret of the security of an unarmed Church, is 
the greatest wonder in the world. 

Nothing but unholy and demoralising effects follow 
any suppression of the truth. 

While worldly conformity, in any shape, predominates 
in our families, our manners, our transactions, the light 
that is in us is darkness. 

Christ was rejected in old times, when the visible 
church went after Baal ; and he is now rejected when 
his doctrine is neutralized, adulterated, obscured, 
legalized; when he is not made the Alpha and Omega, 
the sum and substance of all preaching. 

If the world find no fault with your religion, depend 
upon it you have very little : there must be much 
conformity to the world in your character, not any 
improvement in theirs : forget not, the carnal heart is 
now and ever will be enmity against God. 



FOURTH HUNDRED. 37 

Men often inherit the greatest curse, in being per- 
mitted to choose for themselves. 

If ever the world find a rallying point, it is when they 
combine to persecute the church of God. 

They who weep most bitterly for the sins of the heart, 
are those who are found least in the commission of sin. 

If the heart be not given to God, all outward duties, 
however numerous, are an abomination in his sight. 

Those who have not fled to Christ for refuge, have 
nothing but wrath before them. 

We never consult our own safety less, though we may 
often be tempted to think otherwise, than when we turn 
out of the path of duty to avoid a seeming cross. 

Bethel visits have generally been short. 



dFtftl) ^untortr. 



jS OT all the afflictions or temptations of the Lord's 
people can alter his regard for them, any more than the 
furnace can alter the nature of the gold, or turn it into 
dross. 

Trials are the very discipline by which God refines 
his people. 

It is awful to consider, if we may judge of men by 
their fruits, how many who sit before God, as his people 
sit, will be cast at the last day into outer darkness. 

It is a token for good, when the word is heard with 
personal application. 

We should never approach the scriptures but in a 
holy, humble, prayerful spirit. 

Every error in doctrine is unholy in its tendency. 

The higher our conceptions of divine grace are, the 
more abundant will be our works. 

All Biblical investigation that does not lead to self- 
examination, is unprofitable and vain. 

Among the most paradoxical things in this world of 
confusion, is men's estimate of themselves : Self is the 
least and the most cared for, opposed with the utmost 
vehemence, and sacrificed to continually. 

They shew most wisdom who enquire after heart 
work in religion. 



FIFTH HUNDRED. 39 

If Christ had not been in the promise, Abraham's 
faith could not have been counted or imputed to him 
for righteousness. 

Religion is a life, not a sentiment. 

God infatuates those in judgment who reject his word. 

We never read of the Apostles expecting a temporal 
kingdom after the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. 

Pity for the condemned implies censure on the judge. 
They reiterated their Alleluia, when her smoke rose up 
for ever and ever. 

It is a rare thing to find poverty of spirit in those 
who possess great worldly prosperity. 

Sin is always a burden to the people of God, and 
that would be an evil day indeed in which they should 
esteem it a trivial or light thing. 

How does it sweeten every sorrow, when we can 
receive it from the pierced hand of Jesus. 

There are no such working people in the world as 
those, who know that every thing is done for them. 
They obey the admonition, * ' Work out your own salva- 
tion with fear and trembling," always bearing in mind 
that " it is God that worketh in them both to will and 
to do." 

When God calls to repentance and men begin to dis- 
pute, it is very evident they are destitute of repentance. 

Repetitions never occur in the word of God, but they 
involve our tardiness in understanding, and the great 
importance of the matter so repeated. 

D2 



40 SACRED MAXIMS. 

It is perhaps the most impossible thing in the world, 
to do a good action and not to be proud of it. 

It is only when we fall into our own proper nothing- 
ness, that God will bless us. 

However great the ease which the Lord may give his 
people in worldly circumstances, he calls to fear. 

It is well and wise rather to seek support in affliction, 
and to glorify God under it, than deliverance from it. 

It is much to be doubted, if worldly ease is ever good 
for God's people, though all desire it, and seek to avoid 
that thorny path which alone is the way to the crown. 

Faith gives all that is revealed a substance. 

This world is full of hope, though a very Golgotha ; 
most of them are hopes which will end in everlasting 
despair. 

A hope without a reason, is a tremendous thing. 

God often works mysteriously in the accomplishment 
of his most important purposes. 

The foundation of wise actions is in deliberate and 
wise purpose or counsel. 

We have lost much by the very equivocal sense in 
which we understand the term grace. 

The law may as easily be transgressed in the heart 
as in the actions. 

The peculiar mercies of God, wherewith his people are 
surrounded, place them under peculiar obligations. 



FIFTH HUNDRED. 41 

It is a mercy of great magnitude, to bring humble 
and teachable minds to the word of God. 

There is nothing gracious in crying to be delivered 
from punishment. 

So long as Christ, the great object of faith, lives, and 
reigns, and is triumphant, his people shall live also. 

There is no intermediate character between that of 
enemies and children. 

Trust in God is the first symptom of a sinner returning 
to God. 

Repentance is that change in a man's judgment con- 
cerning sin, which produces a change of the affections, 
in short, of the whole man. 

The voice of God may be heard in every judgment of 
his hand. 

Those who are the most penitent, are most apt to 
suspect having ever repented. 

There is much mischief done by confounding sorrow 
for sin, with repentance. 

Afflictions are more frequently sent to the Lord's 
people for their profit, than to his enemies for their 
punishment. 

There is no wrath in the cup of affliction which 
God's elect people are caused to drink. 

The moral law has no more to do with the justifica- 
tion of a sinner, than the Bishop of Rome has. 

Woe unto them that will bear their own burdens in 
that day, when the Lord shall arise to judgment. 



42 SACRED MAXIMS. 

We should individually pray that our assemblies may 
be feasts of Pentecost. 

A soul unhumbled for sin, is under the dominion of 
the prince of darkness. 

Sin is of that heinous nature, that it has moved the 
Majesty of heaven out of his place. 

Every step above the bottomless pit, is a mercy to 
sinful man. 

They are not the hard-hearted, who most lament the 
insensibility of their hearts. 

There is no greater evil on this side of hell, than 
hardness of heart — it is the growing evil of all impeni- 
tent sinners. 

Nothing more effectually promotes hardness of heart, 
than trifling with convictions of conscience. 

Every heart is naturally as a citadel, fortified against 
God. 

The glorious effects of redeeming love will not be 
fully known till the day of judgment : for this reason it 
is emphatically called the Day of Redemption. 

Few things are of so hardening a nature as theories 
in religion. 

Forgotten visitations are likely to be remembered 
another day. 

A man cannot go on in a worse way, than the way of 
his own heart. 

There is nothing like speaking from experience in 
divine things. 



FIFTH HUNDRED. 43 

All ignorance in divine things is the effect of the fall. 

No elevation of rank can exempt a man from coming 
down into the dust before God. 

It is possible for a man to drop from attendance on 
all the means of grace into the nethermost hell. 

The sin-offering of Jesus has nothing to do with those 
who live in their sins. 

What shall not be reckoned a favour to sinners 
deserving of hell ? 

If we know anything savingly of the redemption 
purchased by Christ, we shall know it to be a redemp- 
tion from all iniquity. 

If you are Christ's, your first and dearest concern 
will be with the flock of Christ. 

There is no true repentance where there is not a 
putting away of sin. 

God is far too holy to accept the best work of the best 
man upon earth, without being covered with Christ. 

Familiarity with evil is an horrible acquaintance. 

The promises of Scripture form the only right ground 
of hope to the people of God. 

There is enough of sin in the best act, done by the 
best man upon earth, in the best frame of mind, to con- 
demn him to eternal ruin. 

Judgments may alarm men, but they will never con- 
vert them. 



44 SACRED MAXIMS. 

The hearts of men are proof against all or any power 
to change them, but that of the Holy Spirit of God. 

Yonr feelings are not the clue to find out Jehovah's 
purposes. 

Tempted Christian, your confidence is only to be 
maintained by looking unto Jesus ! 

God's secret purposes are not the rule of our duty. 

It is an evil omen to the world, that the manifes- 
tations of grace are so singular. 

Every thing is injurious, which tends to lessen 
spirituality of mind, to hinder communion with God, or 
to waste time instead of redeeming it. 

There is no state of affliction or privation, but there 
is a promise in the word of God suitable to that state. 

It is the conscience that takes cognizance of sin, 
when it is quickened by God the Holy Spirit. 

Dead works are those done by men dead in tres- 
passes and sins, and lead to eternal death. 

Sin cleaves to our best works, like the flesh to our 
bones. 

Into whatever our spirit enters, it will spoil it. 

Corruption is the root and well-spring of all natural 
character, our hearts are full of it: more they cannot be. 

If we know anything aright, we shall tremble at lay- 
ing, if but a straw, to impede the advancement of any 
work intended to promote the glory of Christ. 



FIFTH HUNDRED. 45 

There is so much remaining corruption in the heart 
of man, that he cannot bear regular communications of 
spiritual joy. 

To be out of Christ, is to be in as fearful a state as 
the manslayer was out of the city of refuge. 

shame upon the hardness of heart, which causes us 
to feel so little for those who are out of Christ ! 

Sin is that which has caused an entire alienation of 
the heart from God. 

Sin is the poison which has infected all the streams 
of human happiness : it is sin which introduced pain and 
misery, and death into the world— till the birth of sin 
unknown: it is the violation of God's most holy law; 
and that cursed thing which has opened the gates of 
hell to innumerable multitudes. 

The law written on tables of stone, is an apt simili- 
tude of the hardness of those hearts from which it is 
erased. 

There is no evidence of the heart being washed in 
the blood of Christ, unless it be renewed by the Spirit 
of Christ. 

The non-imputation of sin to God's people, is not 
because there is none to impute, but because of God's 
determination, " Blessed is that man to whom the Lord 
will not impute sin." 

Our sins became Christ's by imputation, and he has 
fully cancelled them all, so that satisfaction can no more 
be demanded for them. 



46 SACEED MAXIMS. 

When men are led to condemn themselves for their 
sin, God will not condemn them. 

The approval of sermons in general, by the carnally- 
minded, either proves that the truth of God is not in 
them ; or, that they do not comprehend their meaning 
in reference to themselves. 

The souls of all men by nature are dead, as were the 
bones in Ezekiel's valley of vision, simply because they 
are separate from Christ. 

Godliness is as opposed to our nature, as light is 
opposed to darkness. 

All that we know of God the Father is so little, that 
it may be compared to a drop of water in the midst of 
the mighty ocean. 



gixti) i^untwtr. 



X HE world has but transient joy to offer, fitly com- 
pared to the crackling of thorns under a pot. 

When God commands, it is not a time to reason but 
to obey. 

Let the ransomed of the Lord only believe and obey, 
and that shall follow which shall be for God's glory. 

We have nothing to do with God's secret purposes, in 
dealing with men generally. 

A man's desires always rise, in proportion to his means 
of gratifying them. 

There is nothing more anti-scriptural, than to speak 
of conditions of mercy. 

Nothing is really noble, but what is sacred in the eye 
of a holy God. 

The lowly in heart, whether rich or poor, are those 
whom Jesus is not ashamed to call brethren. 

The end of preaching is individual application. 

The safety of the church consists in her separation 
from the world. 

The world knows no more of God by its wisdom, than 
by its folly. 

When the Spirit of life quickens dead sinners, he bears 
both them and their burdens. 



48 SACRED MAXIMS. 

Pharisaism is the parent of Antinomianism ; where 
the one exists, the other will surely follow : but a free 
reception of the doctrines of grace, will invariably lead 
to a holy life, and bring glory to God. 

God frequently makes outward calamities the means 
of promoting the spiritual health of his people. 

Mere sentiment is not food for a spiritual mind. 

The life of the ransomed of the Lord, is to the world 
an unintelligible mystery. 

God permits all trials, to make manifest the strength 
of his people' s faith. 

Faith will live upon the promises, when all other things 
fail. 

Unbelief is the badge and token of spiritual death. 

Faith enables all possessed of it to live above the 
world — in another atmosphere. 

It is a sure sign of alienation from God, when the eyes 
of princes and people are looking to each other for help, 
instead of looking unto God alone. 

Perfection includes a thorough equipment of the 
Christian to every good word and work, enabling him to 
run with patience the race set before him. 

Faith is every thing in religion. 

Conformity to the world, is a proof of alienation of 
heart from God. 

The gospel proclaims a remedy for every evil that is 
in the world. 



SIXTH HUNDRED. 49 

Unbelief is to be measured by tbe absence of the fruits 
of the Spirit, whatever the profession may be. 

Our feelings cannot affect God's promises. 

The patting off doing till to-morrow what ought to be 
done to-day, is a snare of the devil : remember, Now is 
the accepted time ; — to-morrow may not be. 

The preaching of the gospel, is the exhibition of Christ 
to perishing sinners. 

Man is a fool until he learns to fear. The fear of the 
Lord is the beginning of wisdom. 

The fear of God is the sole effect of free and sovereign 
grace : slavish fear is natural to men. 

Victory in the hour of conflict does not depend on the 
strength of the combatant : this is our mercy, the 
Captain of our salvation conquers for us. 

Religion is a thing to live by, if we would have the 
comfort of it when we come to die. 

Souls at a willing distance from God are not free from 
perdition. 

There has not occurred in the annals of the world one 
single instance of any man whose sins have been covered, 
loving his sins and walking in them, or of sin having 
the dominion over him : the promise runs directly 
contrary to this. 

A step short of the kingdom, is a fall into hell. 

The way in which the Lord brings his people out of 
the bondage of corruption, is always humiliating, if not 
painful. 



50 SACRED MAXIMS. 

Righteousness is a conformity to the mind and will 
of the mighty Jehovah: it is his image imprinted on the 
soul of man. 

The Saviour's righteousness is never imputed to those 
who are destitute of a change of heart. 

The trials of the world are unsanctified trials. 

The greatest blessing a sinner can receive on earth, 
is a new heart. 

God hath determined the holiness of all that shall be 
saved. 

Notions alone, however correct, will only fill a man 
with Self. 

The very providential dealings of God with those 
whose hearts are unchanged, will prove a swift witness 
to condemn them. 

Faith is such a view of the loathsomeness of sin, as to 
cause the sinner to forsake it ; such a hatred of the 
vanities of the world, as will compel him to renounce 
them ; such an idea of the value of the soul, as will 
render its salvation the chief desire of his heart ; and 
such a love for the righteousness of Christ, as will make 
him pray earnestly to be clothed in it, esteeming all 
other righteousness but as filthy rags. 

When a man's heart is in the world, it is a fearful 
token that his treasure is there also. 

Satan can more easily oppose one thousand controver- 
sialists, than one suppliant. 

It should be our aim, that in all our sufferings God 
may be glorified. 



SIXTH HUNDRED. 51 

Our caution, with respect to the world, is, "Be ye 
separate." 

A prayerless mind is a broad and incontestible proof 
of a man being destitute of the mind of Christ. 

The glory of a people is, their union to Christ in the 
bonds of an everlasting covenant, which is ordered in 
all things, and sure. 

To the unregenerate all troubles are accompanied 
with a curse. 

Life derived from Christ, as the living head, will be 
manifested in living to Christ, and not unfrequently in 
lamenting the want of life in the soul. 

The law knows nothing of sincere, instead of perfect 
obedience. 

The end of all God's purposes is to magnify the law, 
and to make it honorable. 

No profession of religion can be right, which makes a 
man cease from watchfulness. 

Satan ruins not so many souls by tempting them to 
forget God altogether, as by urging them to delay 
seeking him till some more convenient season than the 
present : as, in the case of Felix, we do not read that the 
convenient season he mentioned ever arrived. 

The best of men never duly estimate the value of time 
till they have passed its confines, and are no longer able 
to improve it. 

The Scriptures would not be fulfilled, if the world 
loved either God, his word, or his people. 



52 SACRED MAXIMS. 

A divided church is a disgraceful sight. 

We have great reason to suspect that profession of 
religion, which does not excite the hatred and contempt 
of the world. 

Everything is not only not right, but really injurious, 
which tends to lessen spirituality of mind, to hinder 
communion with God, and to waste time instead of 
redeeming it. 

Preparation for death consists in being found in 
Christ, in having Christ dwelling in the heart by faith. 
A sinner not united to Christ can never be truly ready, 
though he may have a flaming profession, and, like the 
Pharisees, make long prayers. 

The elect are so full of darkness, that if left to them- 
selves, they would not possess one ray of light. 

Old age rather makes graceless sinners more incorri- 
gible, than tends to their recovery. 

God calls the wise, not because of their wisdom, but 
because of his own abounding free and sovereign grace. 

No preaching is truly profitable, but that which is 
applicable to the hearts of the hearers. 

It is a fearful sign of spiritual death, when liberty 
from the thraldom of sin is not earnestly sought after. 

A Christian honors God by relying implicity on his 
promises. 

When believers are united to Jesus and to each other^ 
this is a threefold cord that cannot be easily broken. 



SIXTH HUNDRED. 53 

Until men are displeased with their own wisdom, 
they will never seek the wisdom that cometh from above. 

It is the peculiar privilege of the children of God, that 
they can view all events, whether adverse or prosperous, 
as working together for their good. 

The absence of godly sorrow is a bad sign, a sign of 
spiritual death : those who are alive to God, feel conti- 
nual need to deplore their deadness, their leanness. 

The chief and primary effect of heavenly wisdom, is 
deep humility of heart before God; but worldly wisdom, 
in general, tends to make man proud. 

Self-knowledge lies at the very threshold of all divine 
knowledge. 

Every single sin is an infinite evil, being committed 
against a God of infinite purity. 

Every thing short of confession of sin before God, is 
contending with him. 

There is no religion without morality, though there 
may be much morality without any religion, 

There is no form of false religion under heaven, in 
which men do not exalt themselves; that is to say, set 
up their own righteousness in opposition to the right- 
eousness of Christ. 

It is far worse for a man to set up idols in his heart, 
than idols in his house. 

While sinners remain conformed to this world, they 
bear the tokens of God's wrath upon them. 

Your temptations are as much a proof of God's love, 
as vour comforts. 



54 SACKED MAXIMS. 

The religion which the Holy Ghost teacheth is the 
only religion that enables a sinner to give all the glory 
to God. 

It is onr mercy, if God's enemies are our enemies. 

A sanctified recollection of temptations or comforts, is 
a great blessing to God's people. 

Human nature is stone-blind in matters of religion. 

Jesus has sanctified poverty to the poor of his flock: 
he had not where to lay his head. 

Faith is a simple act of the mind, whereby we, as 
it were, lay hold on the promises of God : it differs from 
a simple belief only, inasmuch as it relates entirely to 
spiritual things, and is the gift of God. 

Die daily unto the world, that ye may live unto God. 

There is great danger of leaning to reason, instead of 
relying entirely on the word of God. 

The elect of God must calculate upon daily crosses, 
trials and persecutions, as surely as daily bread. 

However sin may remain in the elect, it will not reign 
in them : the promise is, " Sin shall not have dominion 
over you." 

The root of every evil, which since the fall has deso- 
lated the world, is to be found in the heart of every 
natural man. 

We have great reason to suspect that profession of 
religion, which does not excite the hatred and contempt 
of the world. 



SIXTH HUNDRED. 55 

Even the morality of the world is demoralized, when 
viewed in connexion with the motive, by the Eye of 
infinite pnrity. 

The elect people of God are the " Light of the world:" 
from whom can they derive even a spark of that light, 
but from the Sun of Righteousness ? 

The only use of the Christian, is, to be consumed (as 
a candle is) in giving light to the world. 

If any persons are to be found more useless in the 
world than others, they are double-minded, time-serving 
religionists. 

The usefulness of God's people does not consist in an 
affected similarity to the world, but rather by appear- 
ing always in their own character, as saints : nothing 
like dissimulation should be brought into the Christian 
profession. 

That fictitious righteousness, in which glorying is 
introduced, will meet with no persecution. 



g?ebent|) ^itntortr* 



1HE censures of the world will begin precisely at 
that point where spirituality of mind begins to be evin- 
ced. They will not trouble you, so long as your 
profession extends to mere morality only. 

If you would not relinquish all that is valuable, labor 
to shew yourselves not of the world — be ye transformed. 

The Christian should be careful not to cause reproach, 
by anything in his conduct or character really re- 
proachable. 

A Christian man should know nothing so much as 
his Bible. 

A spirit of division, is a spirit of murder. 

The righteousness whereby sinners are justified, is 
quite independent of themselves. 

Dread trifling with matters of conscience : it leads to 
hardness of heart. 

Nothing more effectually blinds the judgment of men 
than self-love. 

The retaining of one known sin, is a sure token that 
the curse of God rests on that man. 

No errors are of small importance in religion. 

There is nothing peculiarly Christian in adopting 
orthodox tenets: a man may do all this, and a great deal 
more, and yet have his heart estranged from God. 



SEVENTH HUNDRED. 57 

Christian liberty is not a freedom from any moral 
obligation, but from the curse of the law. 

Human nature is a bad adviser. 

There is grace even in the desire of grace : there is 
no principle in our corrupt nature that would lead us to 
desire it. 

It is anything rather than love when the common 
civilities of life are suspended. 

Sin is bondage : victory over sin, is liberty. 

It is not to be expected that the believer will ever be 
without sin, while in this militant state there must be 
a conflict. 

It is a strong proof of the corruption of the human 
heart, that we cannot be trusted even to do that which 
in itself is really good, without a "take heed." 

Our hearts, if left to themselves, are capable of every 
thing monstrous and abominable. 

Pride may be manifested as much in the performance 
of that which is really good, as in sinful and licentious 
actions. 

When men wish to exalt themselves, they will not be 
long at a loss for a stage on which to gratify their vanity. 

A prayerless spirit is an awful proof of a carnal mind. 

There is not a single truth of the Bible, but which, if 
felt in a proper manner, would humble a man in the 
dust before God. 

If we would know God to the salvation of our souls, 
we must know him in Christ Jesus. 



58 SACRED MAXIMS. 

There is no temporal want, but what may be laid 
before the Lord by his praying people. 

It will avail us nothing if Christ be in the Bible, 
or if we hear of Christ from the pulpit, if Christ be not 
formed in our hearts the hope of glory. 

A professed believer, without patience, is a disgrace 
to the Church. 

The perverse wills of men are as much the cause of 
their present misery, as their sin. 

Our corruption is much too deep to suffer us even to 
will any thing that is good. 

There is no wrath in that cup of affliction, which 
Jehovah gives his people to drink : every groan, every 
sigh, every pain, is a real blessing. 

Ceasing from prayer is a token of departure from God, 
though by no means the first, perhaps almost the last: 
it is the subject-matter of prayer that marks declension, 
when temporal blessings are sought with more earnest- 
ness than those of a spiritual nature. 

Christ is as necessarily the spiritual food of his people, 
as temporal bread is the support of their natural life. 

Every thing short of absolute perfection, is a debt for 
which God has a right to punish every one found thus 
deficient to all eternity. 

Heart-sins, about which thousands think not at 
all, will be as millstones to sink their possessors to 
eternal ruin. 

The excellency of self-knowledge is unknown to any 
but those, who have the light of God shining into their 
hearts. 



SEVENTH HUNDTtED. 59 

Sin is the source and origin of all evil. 

Satan is bound with the chain of God's unsearchable 
decrees, on which is inscribed, " Hither shalt thou go 
and no further." 

This is divine policy, " Come out from among them, 
and be ye separate." 

Curiosity frequently leads men into temptations. 

It is a mocking of God to pray, " Lead me not into 
temptation," when we are wilfully running into scenes 
where temptations abound. 

There is an evil even in beholding vanity. 

There is danger even in spiritual favors leading to 
spiritual pride. 

Backsliding is the effect of not watching unto prayer. 

An unbroken chain of trial is what the Christian must 
expect. 

Labor at all times to maintain a spirit of prayer. 

Pride of heart is a great evil in the sight of God. 

Frames and feelings, if they be made the ground of 
hope, will prove as dangerous as the moving sands of 
Africa or Arabia. 

Worldly tokens in themselves are no tokens of God's 
favor. 

Our own way, and an evil way, are terms equivalent 
in Scripture. 

We want the faculty of sight, as well as the oracles of 
truth placed before us, if we would walk aright. 






60 SACRED MAXIMS. 

If you have the love of God shed abroad in your 
heart, it will send you afresh to acts of love and for- 
giveness. 

The state of careless sinners is fearful, because they 
fear not. 

While you can trifle with sin of any kind, you have a 
sure evidence of being both Christless and graceless. 

The most effectual remedy for an unforgiving spirit, 
is a believing view of the sufferings of Jesus. 

Slavish apprehensions of wrath rather discourage 
men from drawing near to God, than draw them to him. 

Love to men works forgiveness, and is necessary to 
prove our love to God. 

The participation of the Lord's Supper, to those who 
live in the indulgence of any sin, is nothing, or worse 
than nothing. 

The elevation of the human mind above the world, 
has always been a matter of desire with the children 
of God. 

Riches are like a dead weight upon a man's soul: the 
more a man has, the more difficult will he find it to live 
to God. 

Riches are a snare, an overcharging, overwhelming, 
but not a satisfying portion: the Lord's people are called 
to disengage themselves from them. 

If we want revivals in our souls, to whom must we 
look, but to the Lord Jesus Christ ? 

Moderation in the pursuit of spiritual good, is a sin. 

Hypocrisy is hateful, for God sees it. 



ft 



SEVENTH HUNDEED. 61 

The doctrine of election is never treated of speculatively 
in the Bible, but connected with some holy truth. 

The people of God know not the day, when room for 
ample humiliation before God does not occur. 

The abasement of those of God's people who are 
humbled under the mighty hand of God, is but for a 
season. 

Let unbelief suggest what it may, God's visits to his 
people are always in due season. 

Humility is a grace bestowed exclusively upon the 
redeemed of the Lord. 

If you seek not the blessings of grace in that way 
which tends to bring glory to God, you will never 
receive them. 

False professions of religion will not abide the 
chastening hand of God. 

The rod of the Lord reveals many secrets which would 
not otherwise be made known. 

Humility implies a prostration of soul, a contrition 
of heart, a feeling sense that God is holy, just, and good, 
not less when he afflicts, than when he grants prosperity. 

Carnal men will to do good in matter of fact, but 
not to the glory of God. 

The reducing of worldly circumstances, or the loss of 
health, merely, unaccompanied by the blessing of God, 
will not produce humility: many are forced to be hum- 
bled in this way whose hearts are still lifted up. Cain 
was humbled in this way, when at the same time his 
rebellion was raised to such a pitch, that had it been 
possible, he would have dethroned Jehovah himself. 



62 SACRED MAXIMS. 

The divine wisdom which God gives his people causes 
them to receive all the doctrines of the gospel with their 
practical uses, and is made manifest in their holy 
conversation. 

There is nothing in any human instruction, indepen- 
dent of divine power, to quicken men to a life of 
righteousness. 

That religion is worthless, which leaves the heart 
divided between God and the world. 

The spirit of prayer is invaluable : by it God himself 
is overcome. 

The character of freemen and servants is united in the 
children of God: the service of God is perfect freedom. 

The fear of God is an effectual preventative (if any 
thing can be) from the fear of the world. 

The servitude of the people of God is not a working 
for life, but from life : all the ground of their glory is, 
that the gift of God is eternal life . 

Always carry this with you as a maxim, a servile spirit 
is an unholy spirit ; a Pharisaical spirit is an unholy 
spirit. 

The perfection of the law of God would be its pleasant- 
ness, if men's hearts were right in the sight of God. 

The Lord never brings his people into trials to leave 
them there, but he will also bring them out of the fur- 
nace in the best way and best time. 

God's longest delays are not denials, not even testi- 
monies of indifference. 

Even the very trial of the saints are blessings ; while 
on the contrary, even the good things of the world 
prove curses. 



SEVENTH HUNDRED. 63 

Promises of every kind, and suited to every exigency, 
surround you, as you proceed to the heights of Zion. 

If any thing admonitory may be gathered from the 
experience of past ages, it is this — Man's disinclination 
to trust God. 

If we are spiritually wise, the most humble of God's 
creatures may be the means of conveying lessons of the 
most sublime and profitable wisdom. 

The people of God are called to that moderation which 
indicates a heart set on better things. 

A persecuted church is not a forsaken church. 

The weakest faith, though accompanied by a thousand 
fears, and almost buried by them, is the gift of God. 

It is the common lot of all men to be by nature in- 
volved in darkness : it is the peculiar grace of some men 
to be brought to see the danger of that state of darkness. 

Repentance will never atone for a single sin, though it 
is essentially necessary to prove the reality of our faith. 

Men are not more prone to disobey God, than to 
make excuses for their disobedience. 

We cannot comprehend the extent of the penalty, 
which is due to every individual sin. 

Those only who have felt the evil of sin, have any 
just idea of the forbearance of a holy God. 

The nature of men is so totally depraved, that even 
the word of God can produce no salutary effect unless 
accompanied by the power of the Holy Spirit. 

It is a fearful thing to be hearers of the word of life, 
and not doers of it. 

All men whose hearts are set on this world, who 
unite a profession of religion with a carnal heart, are 
fools : they are building on the sand. 



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W HO can tell the heights and depths, or the dimensions 
of that folly which makes a man neglect the things of 
eternity for those of time. 

In proportion to our opportunities and attainments, 
will be our responsibility. 

It is only when we contemplate the flowing blood of 
Emanuel, the adoption and the Spirit, and look forward 
to the result of these in the sure possession of eternal 
life, and in opposition to these the infinite evil of sin, 
that we gain any right view of the obligations of be- 
lievers to glorify God. 

Fruits and not feelings are the evidence of a heart to 
which the Lord has been gracious. 

Taking a comparative view, the elect are more dis- 
tinguished in their trials and afflictions, than in their 
joy and rejoicings. 

It is mysterious, but by no means unparalleled, that 
God sometimes employs wicked men to make known 
his mind to the world : in the case of Caiaphas, God 
put honor upon the expiring priesthood. 

God is as much glorified in his work in his people, as 
he is in his work for them. 

An unguarded tongue is the surest sign of a hard 
heart, or else it is the surest way of producing it. 

The glory of Christ should be regarded in our family, 
and worldly, as well as in our religious concerns. 



EIGHTH HUNDRED. 65 

Sin and sorrow are naturally, nearly, and necessarily 
connected. 

As for the church of the redeemed, even when the 
sword of anguish pierces to the very soul, they have a 
refuge. 

A day of trouble, not for evil but for well-doing, is a 
part of the inheritance of God's people. 

It is the curse of the Church under affliction, to seek 
for help to an arm of flesh. 

The general course of God's dealings with those who, 
in spite of warnings, still cleave to their sins, is such as 
to leave little hope that any day of grace will arrive. 

Nothing can lead a man to have a hope full of im- 
mortality, but a simple act of faith in Christ. 

There is no distress, of whatever kind it may be, but 
we may do as Hezekiah did with the letter of the proud 
Assyrian, — spread it before the Lord. 

True humility implies a prostration of soul, a con- 
trition of heart, a feeling sense of the holiness, justice, 
and goodness of God, as much when he smites, as when 
he smiles ; a full acknowledgment that all our chastise- 
ments fall far below our deserts. 

It is a solemn topic of reflection, that the gospel is 
never ministered in vain to any : it is a sweet savour of 
life in them who are saved; and in them who perish it 
is a savour of death unto death. 

It is a foul reproach to any one, to whom it may be 
addressed, "Ye have not, because ye ask not." 



66 SACKED MAXIMS. 

Graceless men, with a religious profession, are the 
most hopeless characters in the world,' — a great deal 
worse than useless. 

It seldom happens that a man talks much, and talks 
wisely, much more talks graciously. 

There is not an individual who, in his sphere, is not 
either a curse or a blessing. 

The time of great wealth as well as that of poverty, 
is a time of temptation: this led Agar to pray, "Give 
me neither poverty nor riches." 

It is a very rare thing to find poverty of spirit among 
those who are rich in this world. 

No worldly portion whatever is a blessing to those, 
whose hearts are set upon it : to such, all things are 
working together for evil. 

It peculiarly becomes the servants of God that they 
should be gracious — even pre-eminently merciful. 

To shrink from reproach, is infamy and shame. 

The joys of God's people are often very independent 
of their worldly circumstances. 

Suffering is not happiness in itself, but the fruits of 
suffering often produce happiness. 

Of all revilers, graceless backsliders are the most 
bloodthirsty and inveterate against the people of God — 
Julian for instance. 

Whenever the light of believers comes sufficiently near 
to the carnally-minded, to that both cannot be light, it 
will call forth the natural enmity of the heart. 



EIGHTH HUNDRED. 67 

In point of a sinner's justification before God, his 
works have nothing to do. 

Only the whole truth received in love can prove the 
power of God unto salvation. 

You who are of the world, whatever your profession 
of faith may be, your infidelity is plain to every one. 

The whole procuring cause of sin not being imputed, 
is the obeying and suffering of Christ. 

Whatever doctrine tends in any degree to make sin 
appear light or trivial, or lessens in any way the strength 
of the doctrine of man's entire depravity, is only 
adapted to demoralize the world and subserve the pur- 
pose of the devil. 

Christ's kingdom is only to be found where there is 
a spiritually-minded people. 

Those know most of the value of souls in general who 
are most conscious of the worth of their own. 

Either unfruitfulness, or evil fruits, is bringing upon 
those who are guilty of such, swift destruction. 

We may well tremble for those who believe a modified 
system, and who reject some truths because they cannot 
reconcile them to their own corrupt minds. 

It is a great mercy when a man feels sin to be a 
burden, oppressing his mind; it is not likely then that 
he will indulge in it. 

Those who are taught of God, will no more endure 
sin in themselves, than in the most profligate of their 
neighbours. 



bS SACRED MAXIMS. 

It argues the low state of our religious feelings, if we 
can bear to converse daily with those who are destitute 
of any spirituality of mind. 

Stand fast in nonconformity to the world. 

All views of sin are antinomian in their nature, which 
are not traced to have their source in the heart. 

Troubles are speaking things, and it is our crime that 
we do not hear them more distinctly. 

It is difficult to say much well, and wisely, when under 
provocation : and if it be not wisely and well said, it had 
better been left unsaid. 

Union is not only strength, but beauty : so division is 
not only weakness, but deformity. 

The very life of spirituality in the mind, is prayer. 

Nothing is reasonable in theological pursuits but what 
is scriptural. 

Unity of heart with those who are spiritually-minded, 
because they are such, is a sign of love to God. 

We should be at all times and under all circumstances 
to the praise of God's glory. 

The most flagrant sin leaves no stain, which the blood 
of Christ cannot purge away. 

It is a most awful token of a reprobate mind, when 
those who sit under the sound of the gospel manifest by 
their conformity to the world, that the word is come 
unto them not in power, but in word only. 

A prayerless state is full of danger. 



EIGHTH HUNDRED. 69 

While sin is pleasant, men are unwilling to believe it 
to be punishable. 

Faith, as an empty hand, lays hold on the unsearchable 
riches of Christ. 

Death is a terrible substance to the word, but the 
shadow of a shade to the Christian. 

It is a fearful token of spiritual death, when the 
hiding of God's face is not felt. 

Mere threatenings and adverse circumstances will do 
nothing to bring the heart near to God. 

The world has never been able to satisfy men, even in 
seasons of prosperity. 

The cause of all disquietude, is sin. 

Hypocrites are always high minded. 

Pride is always a token of hypocrisy in professors of 
religion. 

Sin, wherever it be found, shall surely have its reward. 

Seasons and places of special communion with God 
deserve especial notice. 

Great privileges are serious things, and they entail 
very serious responsibilities. 

Believers have great cause for praise, that they have 
been plucked out of that net, in which the feet of the 
world, with all their wisdom, are entangled. 

Satan will suffer all changes quietly, but a turning 
to God. 



70 SACKED MAXIMS. 

Some men are satisfied with a change of manners, 
others of sentiment, others of conversation ; but unless 
all this be attended with a change of heart, it will 
avail nothing in the sight of God. 

All transgressions proceed from the evil of the heart. 

The world is full of the effects of the fall, and one of 
the most prominent of these effects is selfishness, or 
self-love; so that real love to our neighbour is eradicated 
from the heart of a natural man. 

A line of God's word will stand instead of a thousand 
sensible comforts. 

Those persons who judge of themselves from the 
direct sins which they commit, are likely to be much 
mistaken in the estimate which they may form of their 
character: they must look at the motive which prompts 
to action, which is often sinful when the action is in 
itself good. 

Apostates from a religious profession, are the most 
awful and often the most bitter enemies of the church 
and people of God. 

Present nearness to God, in heart and affections, is 
the best evidence of final salvation. 

Of all denials, the denial of Self is the most painful 
and difficult. 

We are a great deal more apt to see the expediency 
of self-denial in others, than in ourselves. 

To the world God is a God of justice and vengeance, 
but to the Church a God of peace. 



EIGHTH HUNDRED. 71 

We are easily persuaded that things which are pleasant 
to us are good for us. 

The men of the world often owe much to their affinity 
to the Church of God. 

All over anxious cares spring from unbelief in the 
word of God. 

The comfort resulting from a firm belief in the 
promises of God, is incalculable. 

It is very remarkable, that the Judge who delivered 
Jesus to be crucified, did it with these words, (s Take ye 
Him and crucify Him, for I find no fault in Him" — a 
stronger testimony could not be given of his innocence. 

It is a mere mocking of sinners to be continually 
dwelling upon duties, instead of speaking of that grace, 
which alone inclines to any duty acceptable to God. 

If our minds be spiritual, the very summit of our 
wishes will be salvation. 

The native enmity of our hearts, is proof against 
every good. 

There is nothing in our hearts by nature friendly 
either to God or godliness. 

All persons are unbelievers who live impenitent while 
God calls to repentance. 

No man is a believer, who lives in conformity to the 
world, while nonconformity to it is enjoined. 

It is a mercy, and a pledge of protection, when many 
prayers ascend from a family or a neighbourhood. 



72 SACRED MAXIMS. 

All the upright in heart are a praying people : there 
can be no uprightness before God in those who rob 
him of his due, by restraining prayer before him. 

Carnal men are very apt to think much of any thing 
they do for God. 

The hiding of God's face is a trouble that no worldly 
advantage can compensate for. 

It is not the least part of God's love to his children, 
that he leads them to lament the inadequacy of their 
love to him. 

When mercies overwhelm, and start the question, 
What shall I render to the Lord for all his benefits ? 
it is then they are real blessings. 

There is not in our nature any disposition to be 
thankful, even for pleasant things : while the command 
is, " In every thing give thanks." 

Nothing can unfold the mighty moment of the will of 
God, till the day of judgment shall reveal it. 

Eepentance is the gift of God, and not a condition of 
salvation, it implies a change of mind, and is the basis 
of all true religion. 

We might bid defiance to bad example, if it were not 
for the evil within. 



THE END. 



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